FINAL BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6070

                                   C 28 L 92

                              SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Authorizing alternative supervisors for physician's assistants.

SPONSORS: Senators Amondson and Snyder

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

BACKGROUND:

Under current law an osteopathic physician's assistant is limited in practice to performing services for which he or she has been trained and only under the supervision and control of an osteopathic physician licensed in this state.  Although the supervision and control must be exercised by one osteopathic physician, the supervisor does not have to be personally present where the assistant is providing services.

A physician's assistant is limited in the same way and must be supervised by one physician licensed in this state who does not necessarily have to be physically present when services are provided.

There is no authorization of alternative supervisors for physicians' or osteopathic physicians' assistants.

SUMMARY:

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery may authorize for osteopathic physicians' assistants the use of alternative supervisors who are licensed either as osteopathic physicians or as physicians.

The Board of Medical Examiners may authorize for physicians' assistants the use of alternative supervisors who are licensed either as osteopathic physicians or as physicians.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate      46    0

House 97    0

EFFECTIVE:  June 11, 1992